What to Know About Construction Management Certifications
The Master of Science in Construction Management provides the foundation for an exciting and influential career in construction management; helping future construction managers, construction project managers, and general contractors develop the unique technical and leadership skills needed to thrive in this demanding industry.
While construction management master’s programs can provide a proven path to advancement, the benefits degree can be further enhanced with relevant certifications, which convey expertise in the field’s most compelling and in-demand specializations.
There are many certifications worth exploring, but busy construction management professionals only have so much time to dedicate to meeting the strict certification requirements. Prioritizing is essential. The goal is to seek out the specific credentialing opportunities that will have the greatest impact on acquiring job-specific knowledge while increasing job performance and furthering career advancement.
The Value of Certifications in Construction Management
Construction management certifications represent more than acronyms on a business card. Yes, these can level up any construction management resume, but they accomplish so much more, potentially impacting entire teams and projects. The process of gaining these certifications is where the real knowledge transfer happens, providing the chance to explore new concepts and specializations.
Industry Expectations and Trust
Trust is crucial in today’s high-stakes construction environments. Clients, owners, and stakeholders need to feel confident that leaders such as project managers and construction managers are prepared to handle the many challenges that will inevitably come their way.
The right degree, along with targeted industry experience, can go a long way towards producing such confidence. However, certifications further elevate this, demonstrating overall expertise and niche insights related to the field’s cutting-edge trends and opportunities.
Demonstrating Competitive Edge
In a competitive industry, certifications differentiate construction management professionals, highlighting the unique skills and knowledge they bring to their projects. Furthermore, employers recognize the hard work and commitment it takes to secure and maintain these certifications. Aligning certificates with specializations can reveal a commitment to obtaining the specialized knowledge needed to excel in these targeted areas.
Greater Earning Potential and Career Growth
While no certification can outright guarantee promotions or higher salaries, the knowledge that credentials represent can contribute greatly to career advancement. The certification process can help ambitious professionals gain the competencies and professional contacts needed to secure the field’s most lucrative job opportunities.
Moving into the role of Construction Manager, in particular, can deliver a huge income boost. For example, a salary survey from the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) suggests that Certified Construction Managers (CCMs) earn approximately 10 percent more than those who lack similar credentials.
International Recognition
Many construction management certifications are recognized globally. For instance, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) has become “the world’s most widely used green building rating system.” Internationally recognized credentials can drive far-reaching connections and opportunities, even paving the way for impactful global partnerships.
Synergy With a Master’s Degree
In construction management, master’s degrees and certifications complement one another. The Master of Science in Construction Management offers an excellent foundation in addressing essential knowledge including scheduling, cost estimating, and risk management.
Meanwhile, many certifications expand on these concepts or reveal how they relate to aligned industries, such as risk management or sustainable building. Together, master’s degrees and relevant certifications take professionals further than either credential could accomplish alone.
Construction Management Certifications
Deciding whether to get a construction management certification should be simple. What may be more difficult is choosing which certifications to pursue. Not all certifications are relevant in all situations, and often depend on personal goals, interests, and experience.
What certifications do you need to be a construction manager? This calls for a great deal of reflection and alignment with your career goals. To help guide this process, we’ve highlighted several of the most trusted certifications below and insights to help determine which certification will prove most relevant based on your situation.
Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
Available through the CMAA, the CCM represents one of the most trusted and well-regarded certifications in the construction management space. This generalist certification signals that you have mastered the field’s most important skills and also have the theoretical knowledge as the basis of these core competencies.
H3: Why CCM Matters
Demonstrating proficiency in crucial areas such as contracts, budgeting, and scheduling, the CCM designation reveals that the certification holder has the knowledge and commitment to meeting high industry standards. This is the “gold-standard” certification for the construction management discipline and is worth pursuing if you intend to enter the top ranks of construction managers. If you have experience in construction management but struggle to determine which certification serves your professional interests, the CCM may be your best bet. According to CMAA, “The most experienced, qualified, and committed construction managers are Certified Construction Managers.”
Eligibility and Process
There are many pathways to success as a CCM, although this nearly always involves some combination of advanced education and industry experience. The CCM Application Handbook provides a thorough overview of this process. In general, CCMs are expected to hold Responsible-In-Charge (RIC) experience, which conveys that you have documentable CM experience and have been authorized to sign off on key decisions.
Career Advantages
As a widely relevant and respected certification, the CCM can help many types of construction management professionals score a significant career boost. This trusted certification signals professional credibility and can also serve as an excellent networking tool.
Construction Manager-in-Training (CMIT)
Designed for ambitious professionals with limited construction management experience, the CMIT designation can deliver a strong start in a competitive field. This can form a steppingstone for earning the CCM designation. CMIT offers a stackable approach, providing a clear blueprint to “learn how to become a competent and successful construction manager.”
Focus and Benefits
Offering much-needed validation for recent master’s program graduates, the CMIT is a great option for enhancing career prospects in the early stages of your construction management journey.
Exam and Requirements
Because experience plays less of a role in qualifying for the CMIT (as compared to the CCM), other eligibility standards are imposed relating to the stackable levels of certification. Eligibility also hinges on a series of exams confirming your understanding of construction management basics. With higher levels of certification, it is necessary for supervisors to verify industry experience.
Long-Term Value
The CMIT certification tends to be overshadowed by the CCM certification, but it can still represent a wonderful milestone and can offer fuel to help you continue to rise through the ranks in the construction management landscape.
LEED Professional Certification
While many top construction management certifications are provided through the CMAA, this is just one of many organizations worth exploring while pursuing certification opportunities. Another excellent option? Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which represents one of the most well-known and trusted green building rating systems.
Developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED professional certification offers certification opportunities meant to recognize professionals’ expertise in sustainable building practices.
Why LEED Matters in Construction
There is a huge push for sustainability in the construction industry, with insights from the Sustainable Futures Report suggesting that 70 percent of modern construction projects involve sustainability targets. Many organizations have adopted carbon offsetting strategies or adjusted their approach to procurement to reflect these sustainable priorities.
It can be difficult for construction managers to fully understand the environmental implications of various construction strategies. LEED certification helps by revealing what it takes to achieve sustainability in design and building. It also helps construction managers make informed decisions regarding energy use, field waste reduction, sustainable materials, and logistics practices designed to minimize environmental impacts.
Types of LEED Credentials
LEED offers multiple credentials of interest to construction management professionals. Options worth examining include:
- LEED Green Associate. As an entry-level certification, the LEED Green Associate provides the chance to demonstrate basic knowledge regarding sustainable building. Achieving LEED Green Associates involves passing a comprehensive exam, although current Green Associates must also commit to continuing education hours. The exam covers water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, project surroundings, and many other topics. As the USGBC points out, this exam is “ideal for those newer to sustainability and LEED.”
- LEED Accredited Professional (AP). Designed for experienced professionals, LEED’s high-level certification conveys expertise in green building practices and specific LEED rating systems. Multiple specialties are relevant to construction managers, and the LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED AP BD+C) is typically the best option for this field, meant to serve those with “expertise in the design and construction phases of green buildings.”
Career Implications
Construction managers with a passion for green building can benefit greatly from pursuing and maintaining LEED certifications. These reflect a strong basis in sustainable practices, along with a thorough understanding of eco-friendly building principles and strategies. As values such as sustainability begin to play a greater role in construction industry recruitment and hiring, LEED certification can indicate which job candidates are best suited to serve eco-driven organizations or construction firms specializing in sustainable building.
Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) offers multiple certifications based on practices in energy management and efficiency. Among these many credentialing opportunities, the Certified Energy Manager (CEM) is especially relevant to energy-focused construction management professionals. This certification validates construction managers’ knowledge and leadership capabilities as they relate to energy-efficient buildings.
Relevance to Construction Management
At first glance, the CEM may not appear to be targeted at construction managers. This certification emphasizes the optimization of energy performance, with, as AEE points out, CEMs acting as “systems integrator[s] for electrical, mechanical, process, and building infrastructure.”
However, this is relevant to construction management as it helps professionals make informed decisions regarding HVAC, lighting, insulation, and building energy systems. Furthermore, expertise in consumption metrics or energy audits can influence capabilities regarding the data-driven aspects of construction projects. CEM certification can make construction managers more appealing as candidates for projects involving LEED certification and may even influence selection for sustainability-focused public sector contracts.
CEM Career Pathways
The CEM is an excellent opportunity for construction managers who want to move into specialized areas involving energy management. Although some construction management degree programs and generalist certifications may touch on energy concerns, the CEM takes a much deeper dive, covering optimal energy use and energy-related cost reductions. These insights can help construction managers take on niche roles, such as:
- Energy Project Manager. Overseeing efficiency-focused projects, energy project managers play a critical role in aligning construction processes with energy-saving objectives. The CEM can help construction project managers prepare for energy project management roles by providing insight into critical principles and processes such as energy auditing and performance optimization.
- Sustainability Director. Shaping large-scale eco-friendly initiatives, sustainability directors promote green building practices while also driving innovation in resource management and energy efficiency. Often employed by construction and architectural firms (but also frequently serving government agencies or nonprofits), these leaders help develop a culture of sustainability across entire organizations.
- Consulting and Advisory. Equipped with a CEM certificate and a strong background in construction management, consultants can bring their expertise to a variety of organizations. They may help identify weaknesses as they pertain to energy management or can provide suggestions for how to boost efficiency.
Benefits for Construction Managers
Energy management plays a critical role in shaping modern construction management. This is a priority not only for hitting sustainability goals, but also for securing desired contracts and reducing costs throughout the industry. The Certified Energy Manager is a valuable construction manager certification because it helps meet the high demand for expertise in eco-friendly projects and practices.
Other Certifications for Construction Project Managers
The certification programs highlighted above are only a small sampling of the certifications available to the AEC industry. There are many other ways to gain an edge in the construction industry or to develop specialized skills to facilitate a shift into compelling niches. Construction managers may benefit from certifications that provide a deeper dive into the nuances of project management. These do not always explore project management in the context of the construction industry, but the skills they promote are highly relevant in this field.
- Project Management Professional (PMP). Although not construction-focused, the PMP is the most widely recognized and respected certification in the far-reaching field of project management. PMP status reveals the ability to complex projects while managing budgets and aligning to high standards for excellence in project management. PMI also offers the chance to earn the PMI Construction Professional (PMI-CP) credential. This targeted construction project management certification prepares professionals to “lead, plan and manage contracts.”
- OSHA Safety Certifications. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSH) offers a Safety and Health Fundamentals Certificate program, including a specific option tailored to address safety concerns within the construction industry. Completing this program signals a commitment to safeguarding workers by promoting construction safety and risk reduction.
- DBIA (Design-Build Institute of America) Certification. Revealing a deep-seated understanding of the concept known as Design-Build Done Right, DBIA’s certifications provide a blueprint for integrating multiple disciplines to streamline processes and improve collaboration. DBIA offers multiple certifications worth exploring, including the Design-Build Professional® with extensive design-build experience and the Associate Design-Build Professional® for those who, although new to design-build project delivery, have a strong background in construction management.
- Certified Project Manager (CPM). The International Association of Project Managers (IAPM) offers a Certified Project Manager (CPM) credential, which can be an excellent certification for construction project managers with limited industry experience. This credential aims to ensure that certified individuals can “theoretically plan, organize, and implement a project effectively.”
- CRIS (Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist). The International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) administers the CRIS certification process, which can bridge the areas of construction and insurance. CRIS certification also demonstrates a strong grasp of concepts such as risk transfer while also revealing how certified professionals can tailor insurance solutions based on the risks associated with complex construction projects.
- IT or Software Skills. Building Information Modeling (BIM) now plays a central role in project visualization and stakeholder collaboration. As such, there is a greater need for professionals with targeted certifications that relate to BIM capability. This type of certification should reflect experience with BIM solutions. A great example is the Autodesk Certified Professional in Revit, which confirms advanced modeling and information analysis skills, specifically as they relate to the Revit environment.
Interested in Construction Management? Start Your Graduate Degree at TAMU
Ready to elevate your construction management career? TAMU’S Master of Science in Construction Management can set you on the path to success in an exciting and rapidly growing field. Reach out to discover how you can earn a master’s in construction management online with Texas A&M.
